If you’d told me 20 years ago that I’d be writing a review for a 2-channel AV receiver, I wouldn’t have believed it. The year 2024 would surely be about a million channels, complexity, and a world without big, boxy AV receivers! Or maybe not. Maybe the world’s a little over all the channels and complexity and just wants, nay, craves, a little something familiar? A little something harkening back to a simpler time, just with completely updated innards? That’s exactly what Integra’s DTM 7.4 Network Stereo Receiver appeared to offer. Would it deliver? Thanks to a shipment that just landed on my doorstep, I was about to find out.
Unboxing
The DTM 7.4 Network Stereo Receiver is a pure cardboard rush of 1990s component nostalgia. Slicing through the cellophane tape reveals foam, a remote control and the ubiquitous AM/FM wire spaghetti.
Installation
I flipped open the quick start guide and followed along. After making the connections I downloaded the Integra Control Pro app (not to be confused with another Integra app sporting the same icon). After firing up the app I meandered through the setup wizard, ticking boxes here and there.
Instead of going right into a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) discovery mode, I had to flick a slider at the top of the page. This wasn’t intuitive, but I eventually figured it out. Still, we’re thankfully a long way from having to connect to ad hoc Wi-Fi networks or plugging into Ethernet jacks.
The app found the new DTM 7.4 and prompted me to pair it to Wi-Fi. After slipping it the password, it appeared we were now on the same network, and it prompted me to update the firmware. I tensed up. Firmware updates on AV receivers can end up bricking them. I threw caution to the wind and hit the “Update” button. After a few minutes watching the progress percentage hanging at 89%, it finally showed me a “Completed!” notification on the receiver front panel.
I went back to the app and tried to resume my testing. No dice. It wouldn’t connect. I intuited that a reboot was in order — 99% of the time a reboot does the trick.
I powered off the unit, pulled the power from the wall just to be safe, and then plugged it back in. I pushed the power button again and said a little prayer. Voila! The box whirred to life and the app re-established its connection.
I started playing some music through TIDAL to test out its ability to handle lossless content. First up was “Drive” by The Cars. I slung the song through the AirPlay 2 connection, and TIDAL showed me a wonderful signal-preserving 24-bit 192khz FLAC stream. Many of the streamers I’ve tested only push output like this from their onboard apps, so it was encouraging to see Integra putting its money where its mouth was in this love letter to the custom installation community.
I cranked through a few more tunes, including “Empire State of Mind” by Jay-Z and “Pneuma” by Tool. All of the music I played sounded spectacular and rich, definitely showcasing its 110W per channel capabilities. Integra has typically been a higher end offering playing the Lexus to sister brand Onkyo’s Toyota. Integra has had its ups and downs over the years, and it’s great to see them on firm footing strengthening relationships with the custom integrator community.
Final Report
The Integra DTM 7.4 Network Stereo Receiver retails for $900. There are 2-channel amplifier/streamer units on the market for many thousands more. At its price, it is a steal for the high resolution and amplification capabilities not easily accessible with competitor gear. Kudos to Integra for leaning in and working with the custom installation industry on a product that has a solid place paired with a 2-channel system. If you like listening to vinyl, streaming or any other form of audiophilic activity, I encourage you to give the DTM 7.4 a shot (you can thank me later).
